The UPEI Multicultural Choir holds its final rehearsal Wednesday, April 3, 4:30 - 5:30, followed by refreshments. Join in sharing voices, songs, and cultures- take a break for relaxation, fun, and camaraderie. This event is held in the Faculty Lounge of UPEI's SDU Main Building

Our final post for the semester. "U Sports revises equity policy to include transgender student athletes" explores another way in which dividing up the world into only two genders--in this case, through university sports teams--can work to exclude students, and force others to express gender in particularly rigid ways. Head on over to http://projects.upei.ca/arts-equity-and-inclusion, click on the 'join the discussion' image, and let us know what you think! While we'll stop posting weekly discussion items for the summer break, the website, with many more resources than what we've posted all semester, is still there--and we'll be continually adding to it too. And we have plans for the fall -- for more discussions (in person too) and to get more of the campus community involved in helping us produce materials for the website too. So stay tuned for lots more focus on how to transform UPEI into a more equitable campus for all.

April fools reminds us how important to get into the habit of locking your computer when you leave your desk. It keeps your work and study private, and means your co-workers can't play tricks on you (it's very VERY tempting). When you leave your work space hit Windows + L (this will lock the screen requiring your password to reopen). If you work on a Mac it's Cmd+Ctrl+Q. It's really simple and takes a second.

As part of the Molecular and Macromolecular SciencesnSeminar Program, Mark Nabuurs will be presenting on "Evaluation of a Potential Biopesticide Product Intended for the Emerging Canadian Cannabis Production Industry" 

All are welcome to attend. This event is Wednesday, April 3 at 12:30 pm in KC Irving 104. 

This award was created in honour of Dr. J. Regis Duffy, and is awarded annually to a graduating UPEI student who has demonstrated to an outstanding degree the qualities of scholarship and leadership within the University community, and who is not receiving a Governor General's Medal. A cash prize of $1,000 and medallion will be granted to the successful student recipient. 

Further information on student nominations can be found here (https://files.upei.ca/scholarships/dr_regis_duffy_academic_achievement_award.pdf) and can be made by any member of the university community. Recommendations can be forwarded to the Scholarships and Awards Office in Dalton Hall in person, by mail or email at scholarships@upei.ca. The deadline to nominate students will be Monday, April 1. If there are any questions, please contact our office at (902) 620-5187.

DR. KATHERINE SCHULTZ RESEARCH RECOGNITION AWARDS:

Two (2) awards will be granted annually to a UPEIFA member, staff member, and/or a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the research enterprise at UPEI.

From Dr. Schultz’s letter that established the fund:

The research success of an institution rests fundamentally on the excellence, dedication and insights of its researchers and their teams of collaborators, trainees, students, and technicians. However, their success also rests on the work of those who might be labeled the “unsung heroes” of the research enterprise – that is, those whose work behind the scenes and serve to make it all possible – faculty, staff, and volunteers who focus their service on the committees that enable research to proceed; ethics, policy development, and internal grants. For example: those who bring their expertise to ensuring legislative, regulatory and best practice compliance; and those who keep the accounts, fine tune the proposals, develop contracts, and steer strategic initiatives that enable research success. These contributions could include the design or development of a new research policy or procedures, chairing, or being a member of, a compliance committee during a particularly demanding time, providing key support to the development of institutional proposals for significant research funding, and/or continuously going above and beyond to enhance the research experience at the university.

Nomination forms can be found here: https://files.upei.ca/scholarships/dr_katherine_schultz_research_awards.pdf

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jan Coffin at jdcoffin@upei.ca. Nomination material can be submitted via email to scholarships@upei.ca, or dropped off in hard copy at Scholarships and Awards in Student Accounts in 2nd Floor of Dalton Hall.

The Healthy Campus Committee is providing a 45 minute class that offers meditation and gentle yoga stretches. The meditation segment of the class creates more calm, inner peace and balance that benefits both your emotional wellbeing and overall health. This is a class for all fitness levels. The class will be held on Thursdays at 12:10 pm - 12:55 pm in Fitness Studio #1, April 4 - May 30. Instructor: Pam Harris. Free but pre-registration required. Please contact Angela Marchbank, Fitness & Wellness Coordinator at amarchbank@upei.ca to reserve your spot.

The AARMS 2019 Summer School, taking place June 17 to July 12, 2019 at UPEI, is intended for graduate students and promising senior undergraduate students from all parts of the world. Each participant is expected to register for at least two of the four courses. 

Courses offered:

Fractals: Using Iterated Function Systems (IFS) to Construct, Explore, and Understand Fractals
Instructor:  Franklin Mendivil from Acadia University
June 17 to June 28, 2019

q-Series in Analysis and Combinatorics
Instructor:  Mourad Ismail from the University of Central Florida, USA
June 17 to July 12, 2019

The mathematics and Science of Chaos
Instructor:  James Yorke from the University of Maryland, USA
June 17 to June 28, 2019

Rough Paths Theory
Instructor:   Laure Coutin from the Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse, France
July 2 to July 12, 2019

Please visit the AARMS 2019 Summer School website for course prerequisites and details.

For further information, please visit the AARMS 2019 Summer School website or contact Dr. Shafiqul Islam sislam@upei.ca or SMCS smcs@upei.ca

To apply, please visit the AARMS 2019 Summer School website.  Application deadline is April 15, 2019.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre is encouraging all faculty & staff to educate themselves about the benefits of early screening for colorectal cancer. 

Colorectal cancer does not always display obvious symptoms, especially in early stages, but free testing is available to help identify when the illness may be developing.

Screening using the FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) Kit is recommended every two years for those of average risk who are 50 to 74 years of age. Average risk means no family history of colorectal cancer (parent or sibling) or no symptoms such as a change in bowel movements, visible blood in the stool, or excessive vomiting. The test screens stool for signs of blood which can indicate the presence of polyps or cancer cells.

Testing is simple, can be done in the comfort of your home and takes only a few minutes.  Anyone can do this test to detect warning signs of cancer and take action while you are still feeling healthy. It’s convenient, free and improves your chances of survival.  Pick up a FIT kit at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre, 2nd Floor North, Murphy Building.

The UPEI Wind Symphony will perform its final recital of the academic year on Sunday, March 31, at 7:30 pm at the Homburg Theatre at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. This has been a particularly busy and musically rewarding year for the Wind Symphony, with highly successful performances throughout the fall and winter. 

Soloist for this recital is tubaist Gregory B. Irvine. Dr. Irvine will be retiring in June following a twenty-nine year career as professor of brass studies at UPEI. He will be performing Edward Gregson’s “Tuba Concerto,” which consists of alternating rhythmic and lyrical themes.

This recital will be the final Wind Symphony performance for five of its graduating students. All have made significant contributions to UPEI, and the Wind Symphony in particular, throughout their undergraduate careers. They include Leah Jordan, clarinetist; Joanna McKearney, saxophonist; Justin Amador, hornist; Zachary Benard, trombonist; and, Ryan Drew, percussionist.

Tickets ($15 for adults, $10 for student students) for this performance may be acquired in advance at UPEI’s music department and at the Confederation Centre Box Office. The public is cordially invited to attend. See the full release for details.